6.8 Western Custom Rifle Build Barrel Length

[VenaticOppidan]

Hey All.

I am having a custom rifle built in 6.8 Western by my buddies company PROCISION ARMs. Specs will be listed below. I still have time to make changes, but not long. I am going to be running it suppressed, for now I’ll be running my Silencer Co. Omega .300 w a brake attachment to rifle, and the brake end cap on the suppressor. At some point I’ll probably buy a suppressor just for this rifle, but don’t need to add anymore costs.

After the rifle is built, they will work up custom loads for the gun guaranteed to shoot 1/2MOA, then i just need to duplicate. I plan on having the workup done in the 140gr range as well as the 160gr range. The aim is to have the naked rifle weighing 6lb or less. The rifle is intended for backcountry / long range hunting, everything up to elk, unless i decide i don’t feel like lugging around my 10.5lbish rigged out .300win.

I’m planning on a 20” carbon fiber barrel, as i don’t want the gun to be so long I’m toting a javelin around w suppressor attached. Does anyone have any real world range/field time with this cartridge and barrel length? Anyone running 20” barrel and have any velocity reports with their loads of choice? Anyone running 20” barrels that wish they would have went longer?

I am open to suggestions/critiques, however i do not like chassis stocks.

Procision Rifle Build

Caliber- 6.8western bareback Reverse Cow Girl
Stock- GRC Elite Seriescheek Riser Stock https://glacierrifles.co.nz/stock-systems/v/grc-elite-series
Trigger - TriggerTech
https://triggertech.com/products/remington-700-single-stage-trigger-special?variant=47305797452
Action- R700 titanium
Barrel- 20”CF X-Caliber Barrel 50/50 plated non plated blend 1/8 twist
Scope- Leupold VX 6HD 3-18x44 (may go to 50mm for lik 1.5oz more)
https://www.leupold.com/vx-6hd-3-18x44-30mm-cds-zl2-side-focus-illum-firedot-duplex-riflescope
Scope Mount- night force bases
Suppressor- Omega 300
Suppressor attachment- 5/8-24 Brake
Bipod- Cretac
Cerakote- some sort of vias maybe

Thanks guys!

 

[cwpepper]

Here’s another thread with my 6.8 western build below. Zero regrets going 20”. Short action calibers are generally more forgiving than a long action, so given the 6.8 is in a short casing you can get away such the shorter barrels. In the thread you can see photos of what a 20” barrel looks like with a 7” suppressor. I definitely wouldn’t go longer if you have any inclination you may shoot suppressed. If you do go suppressed I’d even consider a 5” suppressor over a 7” as a barrel with can feel long with a can pretty quick. I even thought about ann 18” barrel on the 6.8 western too and think you can get away with it with the fast twist. Everybody is a little different, but my two cents is i’d rather lose a little velocity and have the shorter more packable setup for backpack hunting purposes.

6.8 Western Build Discussion

Dedicating a thread for those looking at the 6.8 Western. Hoping this thread provides a resource to limit the barriers to building a rifle around this fantastic cartridge, which has limited following. If you have a build out there on the 6.8 Western share here. I am no expert as this is my...

rokslide.com

 

[VenaticOppidan]

Here’s another thread with my 6.8 western build below. Zero regrets going 20”. Short action calibers are generally more forgiving than a long action, so given the 6.8 is in a short casing you can get away such the shorter barrels. In the thread you can see photos of what a 20” barrel looks like with a 7” suppressor. I definitely wouldn’t go longer if you have any inclination you may shoot suppressed. If you do go suppressed I’d even consider a 5” suppressor over a 7” as a barrel with can feel long with a can pretty quick. I even thought about ann 18” barrel on the 6.8 western too and think you can get away with it with the fast twist. Everybody is a little different, but my two cents is i’d rather lose a little velocity and have the shorter more packable setup for backpack hunting purposes.

6.8 Western Build Discussion

Dedicating a thread for those looking at the 6.8 Western. Hoping this thread provides a resource to limit the barriers to building a rifle around this fantastic cartridge, which has limited following. If you have a build out there on the 6.8 Western share here. I am no expert as this is my...

rokslide.com

Very nice. I saw that thread. Definitely a top notch build.

I have a Handful of suppressors and will be using the silencer co omega 300 on this until i buy another, hopefully more compact suppressor for this rifle.

Glad to hear you love the 20”, any details on velocities or the loads you’re running? What kind of groupings are you getting? How do you find the recoil?

 

[SloppyJ]

Save your dough and put it together yourself.

This question can only be answered by you. Run the ballistics of an 18" and a 20" barrel and see if you can live with the difference. If I'm not mistaken that can is pretty long. The brake is going to add another inch or so. Even with my shortest can, a little over 6", my 22" 300prc is about as long as I would ever go. I'm more comfortable in the 18" range.

Let's be realistic, you're probably not going to be shooting to 1000yds on game. I shoot quite often at those ranges and i would never shoot an animal that far off. 500 is about the max I feel comfortable with. Maybe a touch longer if there's no wind. Either one of those barrel lengths at those ranges will be perfectly fine.

The biggest factor is that you practice with it and know it well. Plus, if you hand load, you can normally make up some ground if you have good brass. Might not be the load they work up for you but you'll find something.

 

[VenaticOppidan]

Save your dough and put it together yourself.

This question can only be answered by you. Run the ballistics of an 18" and a 20" barrel and see if you can live with the difference. If I'm not mistaken that can is pretty long. The brake is going to add another inch or so. Even with my shortest can, a little over 6", my 22" 300prc is about as long as I would ever go. I'm more comfortable in the 18" range.

Let's be realistic, you're probably not going to be shooting to 1000yds on game. I shoot quite often at those ranges and i would never shoot an animal that far off. 500 is about the max I feel comfortable with. Maybe a touch longer if there's no wind. Either one of those barrel lengths at those ranges will be perfectly fine.

The biggest factor is that you practice with it and know it well. Plus, if you hand load, you can normally make up some ground if you have good brass. Might not be the load they work up for you but you'll find something.

I have been running a Cz 550UHR .300win for many moons and have spent a lot of time sending rounds at range and have harvested many with it the furthest being a caribou a little over 600yd. I understand the need for practice and proficiency. To your point, i want the rifle to be 800yd capable, but realistically don’t plan on shooting much over 600.

I just want something lighter. As far as putting it together and saving money, i wouldn’t be saving much. The OAL with the suppressor is only thing that irks me, 18” would be better for length, but i also don’t want to neuter the cartridge, which is why I’m leaning towards 20”.

Not a ton of info out there on this rd with what people are getting for velocities and barrel length